SuffsThe marquee
Book, Music and Lyrics by Shania Taub
Review by Ernest Edwards
Suffs is the story the Suffragette movement for women in the United States of America to be able to vote. The musical mostly takes place between 1913 - 1920, with a brief look in the Equal Rights Amendment/ERA during Richard Nikon’s presidency.
Suffs was on Broadway in 2024 and won two Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score. It looks like the Broadway production was also filmed and will be on PBS Great Performances on May 8, 2026. If you are unable to the make it to the production live on stage, there will the Great Performances viewing. The musical was amazing to see live on stage.
This is a powerful slice of history. The story and the performances are so powerful. This is a strong
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| The Stage, before the musical begins |
ensemble cast. There are leading characters to mention, such as Maya Keleher as Alice Paul and Marya Grandy as Carrie Chapman Catt. These two characters both wanted the same thing, but one was older and more genteel and the other was young and ambitious. They both wanted woman to vote, but at times worked against each other instead of with each other. Once they combined forces, things started to happen.
There are many parallels to 2026 with the struggle these woman were facing in 1913-1920. It was frustrating to watch President Wilson dismiss these lady’s and have a lame excuse year after year on why is not the time to discuss women having the right to vote. Yet, still wanted the backing an approval of these woman for his elections. We still are still struggling in society today where the majority doesn’t care about the minority and their concerns. What I found very interesting in this musical, is how the 19th Amendment might not have happened without the African American women joining in the marches, and protests. They joined knowing that their presence was important, but that only white woman will be granted the power to vote. Which was exactly what happened. It was still history in the making.
After seeing the musical last night, I now see why this show received the
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| Program cover |
Tony Awards for Best Book and Score. The story, the performances and the songs are so powerful. It is a story that needs to be told. Especially in 2026. Just WOW!
The period costumes designed by Paul Tazewll were excellent. There’s a great write up in the program about the costumes and the quick changes. I also loved how the scenery flowed seamlessly between each scene. The original scenery was designed by Riccardo Hernandez, and for the tour was designed by Christine Peters.
Something to be on the lookout for, is that in the inner lobby on the main level and the first level of the balcony there are signs about the Suffrage movements and Minnesota’s involvement. Some very nice history to read up on for this story and our Minnesota’s involvement with that history.
The shows is about two hours and thirty minutes, including the intermission. Suffs is only in Minneapolis through Sunday April 12, 2026. Check www.hennepinarts.org for tickets.
